The Farmer-Led Irrigation Assessment is an adaptive research project that aims to document existing business models and, in collaboration with stakeholders, formulate new business models that address key constraints for smallholder irrigators in Kenya to access innovative, affordable, and cost-effective climate-smart irrigation technologies. The assessment is specifically designed to support the farmers of the World Bank supported the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth (NARIG) project being implemented by the Government of Kenya.

During the year 2020, the project will promote farmer-led, market-based, and women-empowering climate-smart irrigation solutions by identifying and implementing innovative business models in the NARIG project counties: Kwale, Embu, Kiambu, Trans Nzoia, Migori and Murang’a.

Expected/targeted results

• Increased access and adoption of climate-smart irrigation solutions for 10 NARIGP farmer groups

• Business models that address key constraints for smallholder irrigators in Kenya developed

• Improved multi-stakeholder collaboration in the irrigated agriculture space

Outcome areas

• Identify and outline constraints as articulated by targeted NARIGP farmers and suppliers

• Support NARIGP farmers to experience climate-smart irrigation solutions (through extension workers and other lead farmers)

• Develop and implement workable and practical solutions to overcome the constraints within 10 selected farmer groups

• Support the implementation of climate-smart irrigation solutions and document experiences.